Today's Reading: 1 Kings 17:17-24

Daily Lectionary: Nehemiah 4:7-23; 1 Timothy 3:1-16

Then [Elijah] stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord, "O Lord my God, let this child's life come into him again." (1 Kings 17:21)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Lord's business is resurrection. A prayer to the Lord for a resurrection is sure to be heard, for this is what He has shown that He is about. Elijah doesn't try to comfort the mother with empty words. There's no "He's in a better place" or "At least you had him for these years." She is angry, and rightly so. Death can indeed cause us to be angry. It just isn't right. You were not created to die. Mothers should not have to bury their children. No one should have to bury anyone. You were created to live.

And so, the Lord's business is resurrection. We brought death upon ourselves, and the Lord has seen fit to reverse our foolish and tragic actions. Our addiction to sin has earned death for all of us. Each and every single last one of us will die because we are all sinners. Sometimes the Lord gives us a taste of the world to come a little bit early. Elijah knew that the Lord would raise the dead, and so he stretched himself upon the child three times while crying out to the Lord.

This seems bizarre, but it is not so different from what has happened to you. The Lord has touched you in Holy Baptism, stretching Himself over you, marking you as one ready to receive resurrection when the time comes. The Lord touches you in Holy Absolution, again marking you as a pre-resurrected saint. Sometimes your pastor may even lay his stole over your head when Absolution is given. The Lord comes to you, and gives His Body and Blood to you in the Holy Eucharist.

This may all look as strange as if old Elijah had stretched himself over us. And yet, touch is how the Lord has come to us. He has touched you, and set you aside to receive your life again. It has been given back to you already, and one day, you will sit up from a grave, and be given back to your Mother, the Church. That's the Lord's business. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord, let at last Thine angels come, to Abr'ham's bosom bear me home, that I may die unfearing; and in its narrow chamber keep my body safe in peaceful sleep until Thy reappearing. And then from death awaken me, that these mine eyes with joy may see, O Son of God, Thy glorious face, my Savior and my fount of grace. Lord Jesus Christ, my prayer attend, my prayer attend, and I will praise Thee without end. ("Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart" LSB 708, st.3)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch